Phrasal verbs

run …

The full list of 20 words in this set. Open any word for its pronunciation, collocations, a band 8 sentence and the mistakes Vietnamese learners make.

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20 words

  1. 1

    run smoothlyphrasal verb/rʌn ˈsmuːðli/

    to proceed without problems or interruptions; to work or operate well

    With good planning, the conference ran smoothly and on time.

  2. 2

    run a feververb phrase / idiom/rʌn ə ˈfiːvə(r)/

    to have a raised body temperature; to be feverish

    She has been running a fever since last night.

  3. 3

    run a tight shipidiom/rʌn ə taɪt ʃɪp/

    to manage an organisation or activity in a strict, efficient way

    As a manager, she runs a tight ship and expects punctuality from everyone.

  4. 4

    run aboutphrasal verb/rʌn əˈbaʊt/

    to move around a place a lot; to be busy doing many small tasks or errands

    I've been running about all morning getting ready for the party.

  5. 5

    run latephrasal verb/rʌn leɪt/

    to be or become delayed and arrive later than planned

    I'm running late for my exam because of the traffic.

  6. 6

    run forphrasal verb/rʌn fɔː/

    to stand as a candidate for a position (especially political); or to move toward something physically

    She announced she will run for city council next year.

  7. 7

    run its courseidiom / phrasal expression/rʌn ɪts kɔːs/

    to develop and finish naturally; to come to a natural end

    The strike eventually ran its course and production resumed.

  8. 8

    run someone raggedidiom / phrasal verb/rʌn ˈsʌmwʌn ˈræɡɪd/

    to make someone very tired by making them do a lot of things or run around a lot

    Between work and the children, my wife runs me ragged most weeks.

  9. 9

    run agroundphrasal verb/rʌn əˈɡraʊnd/

    to become stuck (literally, a ship) or for a plan or project to fail to make progress

    The ferry ran aground during the storm.

  10. 10

    run lowphrasal verb/rʌn loʊ/

    to have only a small amount left of something; to be almost out of a supply

    We're running low on ink for the printer.

  11. 11

    run wildphrasal verb/rʌn waɪld/

    to spread or develop in an uncontrolled or excessive way; to become uncontrollable

    After the announcement, rumours ran wild across social media.

  12. 12

    run riotidiom / phrasal expression/rʌn ˈraɪət/

    to spread or act uncontrollably; (of ideas or feelings) to run wild; (of people) to behave in a riotous, uncontrolled way

    After the announcement rumours ran riot on social media.

  13. 13

    run togetherphrasal verb/rʌn təˈɡeðə/

    to be mixed so that it is hard to tell things apart or for events to blur together

    The dates in my planner run together — I can't remember which meeting was which.

  14. 14

    run highphrasal verb/rʌn haɪ/

    to reach a high level (usually feelings such as tension, emotions, or prices)

    Tensions ran high after the controversial decision.

  15. 15

    run to seedphrasal verb / idiom/rʌn tə siːd/

    to deteriorate or go into a bad condition because of neglect

    After the factory closed, the district ran to seed.

  16. 16

    run a red lightphrasal verb/rʌn ə rɛd laɪt/

    to pass through an intersection after the traffic light has turned red

    The driver was fined for running a red light at the junction.

  17. 17

    run alongphrasal verb/rʌn əˈlɒŋ/

    1) (informal, often to children) go away or go and play; 2) to move forward or continue along a route

    The teacher told the kids to run along and play.

  18. 18

    run circles aroundphrasal idiom/rʌn ˈsɜːrkəlz əˈraʊnd/

    to outperform someone easily; to be able to do something much better than someone else

    In the interview she ran circles around the other candidates with her clear answers.

  19. 19

    run coldphrasal verb / idiom/rʌn kəʊld/

    to become less enthusiastic or to become physically cold

    When talk of layoffs began, support for the plan ran cold.

  20. 20

    run inphrasal verb/rʌn ɪn/

    1) to break in (an engine) by running it gently; 2) to arrest or take someone into custody; 3) to enter or visit briefly

    The mechanic ran the new engine in for a few hours before the long journey.

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